Swikly Review: Online Security Deposit Platform for Vacation Rentals (2026)
1 min readReviewed by STR Specialist
Overview
Swikly replaces traditional security deposits with an online card pre-authorisation system. Instead of collecting cheques or cash, hosts send guests a secure link to enter their card details.
- The card is pre-authorised for the deposit amount without blocking the guest's spending limit. If there is damage, the host can claim against the authorisation.
- Integrates with major PMS platforms including Guesty, Lodgify, and Hostaway.
Professional rating
3.5/5
Rated 3.5 out of 5
Rubric score
70/100
70/100
3.5/5
Verdict: Swikly is a solid option with some trade-offs. Worth evaluating for your specific needs.
At a glance
What it does
- No card limit block for guests — pre-auth does not affect spending power
- 30-day free trial with first 3 deposits free
- PCI-compliant secure payment form
Best for
- Hosts who want a clean UI
Not ideal for
- Extreme budget hunters
Pros & Cons
Highlights and considerations for Swikly.
Pros
- No card limit block for guests — pre-auth does not affect spending power
- 30-day free trial with first 3 deposits free
- PCI-compliant secure payment form
- Integrates with major PMS platforms
- Insurance-backed premium plan covers non-payment
Cons
- French company — EU/Europe focused
- Less known outside of Europe
- Premium plan required for insurance guarantee
Scores
70/100
We test against our upsell rubric (guest experience, host integration, revenue potential, ease of setup, etc.). Scores use a 100-point scale.
Strong in ease of use and setup; weaker in data export for guest upsells.
Setup
8/10
Platform sync
7/10
Upsell automation
8/10
Service coverage
8/10
Ease of use
9/10
Team & scale
7/10
Support
8/10
Data export
5/5
Value for money
7/10
Reliability
8/10
Hands-on Review Notes
Pricing
Best value: Free Trial — Free (30 days)
| Plan | Monthly | Base includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free (30 days) | First 3 deposits free, basic features |
| Standard | Subscription | Unlimited deposits, PMS integration |
| Premium | Subscription | Insurance guarantee, priority support |
Integrations
Common integrations supported by Swikly.
Integrations
Booking platforms
—
PMS connections
—
Payment providers
—
Other integrations
- API access
Trial Guide: What to Test
During your trial or demo, focus on data export and confirm daily workflows.
What to test in the trial
- Add the upsell to your guest journey (guidebook, message, or checkout flow)
- Complete a test booking as a guest to verify the experience is smooth
- Check revenue tracking and confirm commissions/payouts are attributed
- Test on mobile — most guests will access upsells from their phone
Alternatives
If you need stronger data export, consider these alternatives to Swikly.
Md
Manual deposit collection
Quick alternative – click to read more.
Read review
Dw
Damage waivers
Quick alternative – click to read more.
Read review
FAQ
Answers to common questions about setup, pricing, and deployment.
Community experiences
Real-world notes from hosts who have used Swikly.
Share your experience
Submissions are reviewed before they appear publicly.
No approved experiences yet. Be the first to submit one.
Sources
Documentation and references used in this review.